Viktor Avdeev by Unsplash
Jarrod Suda
Guide
Byron Mühlberg
Reviewer
Sep 20, 2024
Advertiser disclosure
Whether you’re a local or a traveler in Northern Ireland, this travel guide will help you navigate the best and cheapest way to find a ride. Good news — Uber does operate in Northern Ireland, making it a convenient option for getting to and from the airport, hotels, and local attractions.
When using ride share services abroad, make sure to pay with a credit or debit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, such as Revolut, to save on extra costs.
Additionally, to stay connected while traveling, consider using travel eSIMs like Holafly for fast, unlimited data. This way, you won’t have to rely on spotty Wi-Fi that can be lost once you ride off in the car.
Our travel tip highlights:
- Holafly eSIM: Holafly offers travel eSIMs with unlimited data, perfect for using maps, Uber, and staying in touch without relying on spotty WiFi.
- Revolut Card: Use a Revolut debit card to pay for your Uber rides abroad and cut out the 2-3% foreign transaction fees charged by most banks and credit cards for overseas spending.
Uber in Northern Ireland
- 01. Is there Uber in Northern Ireland? scroll down
- 02. How much does Uber cost in Northern Ireland? scroll down
- 03. Is Uber good in Northern Ireland? scroll down
- 04. Is there Lyft in Northern Ireland? scroll down
- 05. Pay for Uber in the local currency in Northern Ireland scroll down
- 06. How to find the best eSIM for Northern Ireland scroll down
Is Uber Available In Northern Ireland?
Yes, Uber is available in Northern Ireland. However, its service is sometimes limited to major cities. In smaller towns and rural regions, Uber may not operate, so you may have to rely on public transport, taxis, or private transfer services in these instances.
How Much Does Uber Cost?
The best way to get an accurate price for your specific trip is to simply enter your pickup and drop-off locations directly in the Uber app or website. This will provide a real-time quote based on current pricing in your area.
Prices can change frequently, so checking the app is the most reliable way to get an estimate. For example, Uber's pricing varies based on a number of factors, including:
- Best available ride pricing: Uber uses surge pricing to adjust fares in real-time based on supply and demand. Prices increase during high-demand periods like rush hour or bad weather to incentivize more drivers to become available.
- Service level: Uber offers different service levels (e.g. UberX, Uber Black).
- Distance and time: The base fare, per minute, and per mile rates factor into the total cost.
- Minimum fare: There is a minimum charge for each ride, even if the time and distance are short.
- Promos and discounts: Uber sometimes offers promotional pricing or discounts for new customers.
Is Uber Reliable in Northern Ireland or Belfast?
Yes, we generally like using Uber because the app and the tracking feature using maps provide a safe and convenient way to get from point A to point B, even if you don’t speak the local language or if the driver can't communicate with you.
While taxis are also safe, ride share apps offer more transparency in pricing compared to metered taxis, and are often cheaper as well. If you're concerned about costs, reserving a ride a day in advance — especially for airport trips or important appointments — can help you lock in a reasonable price.
Is There Lyft In Northern Ireland?
Unfortunately, Lyft is not available. Lyft currently only operates in the United States and Canada. In addition to ride sharing, you can consider public transit, metro systems, regional trains, or taxis to get around. If you plan on visiting multiple areas, it might be worth considering a rental car for maximum flexibility and freedom.
How To Pay For Uber in the Local Currency in Northern Ireland
The best way to pay in Northern Ireland is by using debit and credit cards that do not charge international transaction fees. If you use a card that does charge these fees, your bank or card issuer might add an additional 2% to 3% to your transaction costs.
Whenever you spend abroad, your card will process the payment in your home currency using Visa or Mastercard's foreign exchange rate, which is typically close to the mid-market rate. This option is already quite favorable. However, if you want to avoid those small margins and pay like a local in the local currency instead, consider a multi-currency account like Revolut.
With Revolut, you can hold the local currency on your card, allowing you to avoid on-the-spot currency conversions. You can top up your account using their app ahead of time, making it easy to manage your funds while traveling.
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How To Get an eSIM For Northern Ireland
Relying solely on Wi-Fi to call a ride share service can be risky; once you leave the Wi-Fi area, you may lose your connection until you find another access point at your destination. To avoid this, consider getting a travel eSIM for Northern Ireland.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan without needing a physical SIM card. This is compatible with many modern smartphones (read our list of eSIM compatible phones).
Companies like Holafly and Airalo offer temporary travel eSIMs tailored to your needs, whether by country, data amount, or duration of use. With these services, you can easily stay connected while traveling, ensuring you have reliable internet access whenever you need it.
Compare the Best eSIMs for Northern Ireland
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